Oakland Mills Community Association Village Board Meeting Minutes

The Other Barn ~ 5851 Robert Oliver Place ~ Columbia, MD 21045

Board Members: Bill McCormack, Jr., Co-Chair~ Ginny Thomas, Co-Chair ~

Jervis Dorton, AC Chair ~ Jonathan Edelson ~ Liz Smull ~ Paul Verchinski

Tawania Williams ~ Kay Wisniewski

Reginald Avery, Columbia Council Representative

June 24, 2014

Regular OMCA BoD Meeting

Mr. McCormack called the regular meeting of the OMCA Board of Directors to order at

7:00 pm.

Present: Bill McCormack, Jr. Board Co-Chair; Ginny Thomas, Board Co-Chair; Jervis Dorton,

AC Chair; Paul Verchinski; Tawania Williams; Kay Wisniewski; Sandy Cederbaum, Village

Manager; Brigitta Warren, Event & Administrative Coordinator

Absent: Jonathan Edelson; Reginald Avery, CA Board; Fred Eiland, Community Organizer

Also Present: Bob Jenkins, Howard Hughes Corporation, Vice-President, Engineering and

Construction; Jennifer Toole, Toole Design Group; Andy Gudgeon, Toole Design Company;

Cathy Spain, Friends of Bridge Columbia; John Slater, Friends of Bridge Columbia; Randy Clay,

Planner, HC DPZ; Officer Michael Pickett

Opening of Meeting

Ms. Wisniewski motioned for the agenda for June 24, 2014 (ATTACHMENT “A”) be approved

with amendments. Ms. Thomas seconded and the motion passed (5-0-0).

Ms. Thomas motioned to accept the minutes from June 10, 2014 (ATTACHMENT “B”). Mr.

Verchinski stated he would like added to the minutes the following two sentences, “Mr.

Verchinski asked if the section from Basket Ring to Thunder Hill Road was undergoing the

planning study. Mr. Clay responded there is no planning study.” Ms. Wisniewski seconded

with the addition of the two sentences and the motion passed (5-0-0).

Resident Speakout

Froydis Beckerman stated that the Bridge project is fabulous. Thank you to those who took this

project on.

Multi Use Path Discussion from the Bridge to Blandair

Bob Jenkins, Howard Hughes Corporation, was present to answer any questions the OMCA

Board may have regarding the Multi Use Path. The pre-submission committee meeting took

place on March 27, 2014 regarding the path. Comments were received from Howard County and

they are being addressed. Ms. Thomas asked when the plan was being developed, were those

planning aware of the Streetscape plan. Were the 2 plans coordinated together? Mr. Jenkins

responded no, but Toole Design, who is working on the Multi Use Path, is also working on the

Columbia pathway project. Ms. Thomas asked if a discussion could take place. Mr. Clay stated

that the Multi Use Path project has been worked on for quite a while. Phase 1 has already taken

place, the path by Symphony Woods. The first set of comments was received and has been listed

on the plans. These plans include that coordination is required. Ms. Thomas stated she did not

want the two groups to work against each other. Mr. Jenkins stated he is happy to accept

comments from other groups. Recently, Howard Hughes Corporation met with the police

department, the fire department and the EMT to discuss in general organized pathways in

Howard County, names of pathways to have identifiers so they know where to respond. Mr.

McCormack stated if both groups look at each other’s projects then all can be sure to get it right

the first time. Mr. Clay stated that this is a common thing throughout the County so all work

together. There is a standard point of review process. This would count as one of those times.

Mr. Verchinski stated that the OMCA Board would like to work with the Howard Hughes

Corporation on this path to Blandair. The OMCA Board sent 5 pages of comments to the

County. Have those comments been received? Mr. Jenkins stated no, they have not. Mr.

Verchinski briefly stated what the main concerns were that were addressed in the letter. Mr.

Dorton asked how the path crosses Whiteacre and how the path crosses Thunder Hill Road.

When it crosses Whiteacre it makes a very sharp turns which is hard to do on a bicycle. Mr.

Jenkins stated that before the project started, he walked the path along with HC Recreation and

Parks, DPZ, DPW and a county council member and all agreed on the alignment issue. They did

not want a mid-block crossing. Mr. Verchinski asked if an OMCA Board member was on the

walk. Mr. Jenkins stated no. Mr. Jenkins stated that Howard County owns the pathway.

Jennifer Toole stated that on the initial walkthrough the crossing where it is today is not in a

visible location. The purpose of the sharp turns is to slow bicyclists down. Mr. Dorton stated

that the Thunder Hill intersection does not work as it goes diagonally across Thunder Hill. The

grading plan would require more dirt be added which would in turn place a need for a fence so it

does not fall into roadway. Mr. Dorton stated that how it looks should be a factor. Mr. Jenkins

stated that they have to avoid crossing a stream or a wetland as that requires a MDE permit. It

has to be proven to MDE that the pathway has to cross the stream. Mr. Verchinski

recommended tocut the grade down to 4 or 5% to slow people down. Mr. Jenkins stated he

would take that under advisement. Ms. Thomas asked if County comments included what was

being discussed tonight. Mr. Clay stated that Mr. Verchinski comments had been included as

advisory comments. Ms. Thomas stated that she would be sure to get Mr. Jenkins an electronic

copy of the comments submitted. Ms. Thomas asked if there had been any comments regarding

transit. Mr. Jenkins stated that a feasibility study was done and it showed that transit was not

economically viable. The County has a feasibility study going on currently, but he is not sure

what the status is with that. The County consultants will be meeting with the Howard Hughes

Corporation. Mr. Jenkins stated that Howard Hughes Corporation is required to give $500,000

to the existing bridge over Route 29. Putting transit crossing is the right thing to do, but they are

waiting for a yes or no from the County. Mr. Dorton stated that the path should go all the way

through to the Blandair parking lot better signage is needed. Mr. Jenkins stated that the signs

being used are a large improvement for Howard County and Howard Hughes is working with the

police and the County who like the signs. Ms. Toole stated that a big issue was making sure

there was coordination to not duplicate signs without taking away from the natural environment.

Mr. Dorton stated he would like the signs to have some distinction. Mr. Verchinski asked if

the signs being used were comparable to signs used in new towns. Mr. Jenkins stated that it is

not typical to name your pathway, this is a new concept. Mr. McCormack asked Mr. Clay if he

would be able to contact HC Recreation and Parks to see if they would be willing to extend the

pathway to the Blandair parking lot. Mr. Clay stated that HC Recreation and Parks is aware of

this issue. Mr. McCormack asked when Ms. Toole saw a similar pathway was the path worn

through the grass or was fencing used. Ms. Toole responded that it was made hard for bicyclists

to go the wrong way. Ms. Thomas expressed concern over bicyclists coming quickly from

OMHS. Ms. Toole stated she would look at this issue. Greg Fitchett, a new senior member of

Howard Hughes Downtown Development team, was introduced. Ms. Wisniewski stated she

was concerned about the safety of the school children crossing. Mr. Verchinski expressed

concern over the 90 foot spaces between lighting and if there is any talk about security cameras

in the highly wooded areas. Mr. Jenkins stated that Howard Hughes followed design guidelines

regarding lighting. He also stated that currently the HC Police have two security cameras down

by the bridge and from his understanding, they are not very effective. Mr. Dorton also

expressed concern about lighting. Mr. Jenkins stated he would look at it. Mr. Jenkins stated that

the residents in Zone R12 (3 hours at Gales Lane/Route 29) were of concern for light spillage.

Ms. Thomas was with the understanding that the County was purchasing those properties and

they were being demolished so the light spillage would not be an issue. She stated she could

help Mr. Jenkins make that not an issue. Ms. Thomas thanked all for coming and stated that the

OMCA Board would like to continue working with the Howard Hughes Corporation as they

work on the Reinventing of Oakland Mills. John Slater stated that the section between the bridge

and Stevens Forest Road ten foot path is nice, but was concerned that if transit is eventually

approved, shouldn’t the provisions be made now. The feasibility consultant, URS, anticipate

that the study will be completed in December 2014. He suggested a waiver be given to Howard

Hughes Corporation for the deadline to be changed for the portion of the path between the bridge

and Stevens Forest Road . Mr. Jenkins stated he wanted to work with whomever to ensure a job

well done.

Bridge Columbia

John Slater showed a slide presentation about Bridge Columbia

(www.bridgecolumbia.org/why-columbia-needs-another-bridge/). Ms. Thomas asked if the

current $100,000 study includes transit. Mr. Slater stated no, the study is a structural study and

does not look at the demand for transit. The Transportation Department is looking at the need

for transit. Ms. Thomas asked if the transit would end at the shopping center. Mr. Slater

responded no, it could go as far as it is wanted to. Ms. Thomas asked where the transit would

go. Mr. Slater responded that he hopes it would continue on to the road.

Oakland Mills Safety Issues

Officer Michael Pickett was present to give an update on any safety issues in Oakland Mills. He

introduced himself to those who did not know him. He stated that Verona has new security.

Shadow Oaks is working with the police. The idea of combined security for all of the apartment

complexes did not work. Officer Pickett stated that he trying to work on the crossing guard

issue. Ms. Williams commended Officer Pickett as she has seen a big change in the village

center for the positive. Mr. Verchinski asked if the OMCA Board could get a report of all of

the addresses that are problematic. Officer Pickett stated that he could only provide addresses if

there is an arrest and thus the information becomes public.. He directed Mr. Verchinski to look

at the Howard County police department website which has all of the police report statistics.

Ms. Wisniewski asked if the police department had ever informed the Board of Education about

the crossing guard problem. Officer Pickett stated the BOE was called if no crossing guard was

available. Officer Pickett suggested possibly writing a letter from the OMCA Board to the

school board regarding the crossing guard issue. Ms. Thomas stated she would follow up.

Stevens Forest/ Whiteacre Road Streetscape Proposal

Mr. McCormack stated that a decision should be made tonight as to what the OMCA Board

wants. Mr. McCormack stated that he would like to see coordination of the Path project and

the Streetscape project. Mr. Clay responded that it is not unusual for all properties to be

interconnected. Mr. Verchinski expressed his concern regarding safety of walkers at

roundabouts after observing the roundabout at Homespun and Cradlerock. (ATTACHMENT

“C”) Mr. Clay asked if roundabouts would be allowed if they were unsafe. He stated he is

following through on work that was requested by the current OMCA Board’s predecessors and

the partnership they had. He would not have come before the OMCA Board if the proposals had

not been vetted by HC Zoning Department and Traffic Department. Mr. Dorton expressed

concern having bicycles on both sides of Whitacre. A resident gave two alternative suggestions;

1) Have a roundabout where Thunder Hill Road meets Santiago Road and 2)Thru traffic on

Santiago Road goes around Village Center and do a second roundabout at Santiago and Stevens

Forest. Mr. Dorton asked what can be done to make people feel they have arrived somewhere

when they enter in Oakland Mills. Ms. Cederbaum stated that during the school year Santiago

would be a dangerous with all of the children crossing. Ms. Thomas asked if there was any

concern with the pathway ending at Whitacre. Mr. Dorton stated that Talbott Springs School

does not want the pathway to go all the way down Whitacre. Mr. Clay stated that the school

facilities were sized for a smaller population then is there currently. Mr. Clay stated that this

streetscape is just a milestone, HC will come back to the board with proposed design treatments.

Mr. McCormack called for a vote on the 2 concepts proposed: Concept 1 – 4 votes, Concept 2 –

1 vote and 1 abstention. Concept 1 will be the OMCA Board’s choice. Mr. Clay stated that will

be back to discuss further details. Mr. McCormack asked Mr. Clay if he could have one of

HC’s Traffic Engineers provide data to the OMCA Board regarding 3 way stops vs. roundabouts.

Ms. Wisniewski requested that when designing the roundabout, please keep in mind the school

aged children that have to cross the street. Mr. Clay will send Ms. Cederbaum a full sized

diagram of the OM Village Center. Ms. Cederbaum will mount it.

Manager’s Report

Ms. Cederbaum distributed her report (ATTACHMENT “D”). She also distributed copies of

the FY14 4th

Quarter /End of the Year Financials. (ATTACHMENT “E”). Ms. Thomas

expressed concern regarding the money that is left over. Ms. Cederbaum explained the

“Village Contingency Fund.” Ms. Thomas asked what amount the “Village Contingency Fund”

can go up to. Ms. Cederbaum responded $120,000. Mr. McCormack asked as the Board

moves forth with the reinvention of OM can they ask for money from this fund. Ms.

Cederbaum stated that first the Board must use up what is in the OM cash reserve fund. Ms.

Cederbaum also stated that quarterly budget reports are seen by the Board so the Board can see

how the budget is doing. Mr. Verchinski asked about variances, does CA kick that money back

to OM. Ms. Cederbaum stated the variances just provide an explanation and are part of the

financial reporting. An auditor goes through financials at CA. Ms. Thomas asked if any

commitments of donations had been made. Ms. Cederbaum responded no. Ms. Wisniewski

moved to accept the FY 14 End of the Year Financials. Mr. Dorton seconded and the motion

passed (6-0-0). Ms. Cederbaum stated that URS (bridge feasibility study consultant) wants to

meet with OMCA Board. Mr. McCormack suggested Tuesday, July 29th

at 7pm, an OMCA

Board work session open to the public. Ms. Cederbaum will check on date with URS.

CO Report

Mr. Eiland’s report was distributed. (ATTACHMENT “F”) Ms. Thomas asked to receive a

report with the number of Street Captains and overall status of how the program is doing over the

past three years.

Board Bulletin Board

Ms. Warren gave an update on the Deer Management Workshop she and Ms. Cederbaum have

been putting together. All ten villages will co-sponsor the workshop along with HC Recreation

and Parks. It will be held Thursday, August 7th

at 7pm at The Other Barn. She has confirmed

speakers from HC Recreation and Parks and HC Master Gardeners. She is waiting on

confirmation of speaker from the HC Health Department.

Ms. Williams asked if something could be done to help families who are currently living in the

apartments in OM and want to live in a single family home in OM. Could they be provided

some assistance with the many empty houses that are in OM becoming rental properties and

those desiring families could move in. Mr. McCormack stated that there is a Housing meeting

tomorrow and he would add it to the agenda.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:39 pm.

Respectfully submitted: Brigitta Warren, Event and Administrative Coordinator